When will Blu-ray become mainstream?

[me_inside]

I remember DVD came out in 97 and it took it to at least 2001 before it was a household item even with the PS2 being a DVD player! How long until Blu-Ray becomes the standard for movies? 2 yrs? 4 yrs? I personally don't think it will happen until players drop to $200.00 (quality ones/ not Chinese crap) and you can walk into your local Best Buy/CC/Fry's/WMT and get movies for 7.99 to 14.99 by the boat load!!! What is your opinion?

[reiella]

Originally Posted by me_inside

I remember DVD came out in 97 and it took it to at least 2001 before it was a household item even with the PS2 being a DVD player! How long until Blu-Ray becomes the standard for movies? 2 yrs? 4 yrs? I personally don't think it will happen until players drop to $200.00 (quality ones/ not Chinese crap) and you can walk into your local Best Buy/CC/Fry's/WMT and get movies for 7.99 to 14.99 by the boat load!!! What is your opinion?

Hard to say, on one hand, the format change is one of the ways the industry can account for inflation in the prices. Unlike VHS->DVD, all tvs that play DVD don't 'benefit' from a shift to HDM. It's really dependant on HDTVs becoming a norm as well.

[jsteinhauer]

I think it will be mainstream when those who resist change no longer have an option. I probably know as many people who don't ever watch television as I do people who even know that Blu-ray and HDDVD even exist. My business partners can all afford what ever AV hardward they want, but none even know that their analog televisions will be no good in two years. There are a lot of people who can afford to buy HD hardware now, but they don't watch sports or movies at home. They spend their money on cars, skis, boats, guns, bikes, travelling, lake homes and other things. They are simply not interested. I was not either, because for years I resisted even looking at high def televisions, so as not to know what I was missing. What you don't know won't hurt you, so to speak.

[Maxell]

2010
or when name brand blu-ray players sell for $99.99 and under (not just a sale price).

[ESUNintel]

I think this holiday season will make many realize that Blu-ray is better than the other HD Format. If Best Buy continues to run promotions like "Buy one, get one free" (like they are this week), if companies keep putting Blu material like posters, end-caps and other such things up it will lead consumers to wonder what Blu is, and many will find it necessary to upgrade. There is also the cost factor, many can not justify spending $500 on a player, many can't even justify the cost of the PS3. I personally think the PS3 price is reasonable, but it be nice if it drops an other $100 or $50 , and Blu players REALLY need to come down in price this holiday season, at least $300, although $200 would be more ideal.
Then there's a whole group of people that don't have an HD TV because they think they cost to much, not worth it, or whatever they may think. The cost has come down a lot for an HDTV, sure 1080P televisions and XBRs and other such sets still cost a fortune; however, not many really need a 1080P and there's also decent TVs out there that don't cost a lot, such as Vizio, Sylvania and others (not name brand, but still nice looking and working TVs). There needs to be more focus on those that buy an HDTV, it wouldn't kill Sony (or other Blu-ray supporters) to run a promotion that involves Blu when someone registers or buys their new TV. Even if they just insert Blu ray material, people will likely come across it and perhaps realize its something they should invest in. Many purchase Home-Theaters in a Box with their new TVs just cause it might be easier than buying separate stuff, why not sell Blu-ray ready sets? An other idea would be putting the Blu logo on TVs, they put the HDMI, Dolby and other logos right in front of the TV, where everyone can see it (usually next to the power button), they should add a Blu-ray ready logo.
There is so much that can be done for Blu-ray to completely secure their future. I really do believe that Blu will be the next format, but they need to do stuff that will make everyone know Blu is the next format. Of the electronics manufacturers, only Toshiba seems to be the REAL HD-DVD supporter and LG and some others are neutral, most companies support Blu and they have the power to guide consumers to the next format.

[Joe Cain]

When HDTVs reach more than 50% of TV-owning households.

[clyon]

Will take 8-5 years. Still most of the people that will buy them will not buy them because they want blu ray but because there old DVD player died & that dvd players have been fazed out.
8-15 years until people (50% of US households) use the blu ray as it is intended to be used, on a HDtv.